Experimental activities on a PEFC based powertrain for a hybrid electric minibus

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 45; no. 58; pp. 34011 - 34023
• Main Authors: Andaloro, L., Napoli, G., Micari, S., Dispenza, G., Sergi, F., Fragiacomo, P., Antonucci, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 27-11-2020
• Subjects: Electric hybrid FC vehicle; FC powertrain configuration; Hydrogen mobility; Minibus; Tests drive; Hydrogen mobility; Minibus; Tests drive; FC powertrain configuration; Electric hybrid FC vehicle
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.09.032

With the aim to follow the National and European regulations related to the transport field numerous initiatives have given rise to studies and analyses of low/zero environmental impact powertrain. Many investments have been made in the electric vehicles (BEVs-Batteries Electric Vehicles) field although these still present limits related to low range of autonomy and long charging times. The minibus realized by CNR ITAE within the “i-NEXT” project (funded by Italian Ministry of Educational, University and Research) has a hybrid electric powertrain based on fuel cell (FC) technology and lithium batteries (FCHEV - Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The present work reports the tests drive in which different conditions of the operating range have been verified.
•The Fuel Cell Hybrid Minibus is able to work in both electric (batteries) and hybrid modes (batteries and fuel cell system).•The operation logic of fuel cell system in the powertrain is a function of the batteries SOC ("State of charge") variable.•Tests drive carried out on the road have allowed to analyze normal operation and operation in limit conditions of the bus.